Fastening device for compacted plastic bottles intended for recycling

ABSTRACT

A fastening belt for a recyclable, plastic, beverage bottle including: a length of flexible material affixed around a circumference of the bottle and positioned on a lower part of a body of the bottle; in a first partially compacted the material is disposed in a crease of a fold between the first and the second segments of the bottle; and in a second, compacted state, the material is configured to be passed over the neck of the bottle, thereby securing the first and second segments of the bottle in the compacted state folded over the third segment.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/555,519 filed on Sep. 4, 2017, which is a national phase of PCTPatent Application No. PCT/IB2017/052437 having International FilingDate of Apr. 27, 2017, which claims the benefit of priority of IsraelPatent No. 246809 issued on Dec. 1, 2017, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a recycling accessory and, moreparticularly, to an accessory that is added to a single-use beveragebottle to aid in compacting the volume of the empty bottles intended forrecycling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The production of plastic bottles is continuously expanding and isreplacing other materials. Recycling remains insufficient. 90 billionplastic water bottles are consumed annually worldwide, not includingsoda and other beverages bottled in disposable plastic bottles.

Only about 14% of plastic bottles are recycled. Approximately 86% of allsingle-use plastic bottles end up in household garbage and outdoorwaste.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a fastening beltfor a bottle, the bottle being a recyclable, plastic, beverage bottle,the fastening belt including: a length of flexible material affixedaround a circumference of the bottle and positioned on a lower part of abody of the bottle;

-   -   a first portion of the length of flexible material configured,        in a first partially compacted state, to be positioned between a        first segment of the bottle disposed below the length of        flexible material and a second segment of the bottle disposed        above the length of flexible material, wherein in the first        partially compacted state the first segment is folded over the        second segment and the length of flexible material is disposed        in a crease of a fold between the first and the second segments        of the bottle, trapping the first portion; and    -   a second portion of the length of flexible material configured,        in a second, compacted state, to be positioned proximal a neck        of the bottle, wherein in the second, compacted state, the first        and second segments are folded over a third segment of the        bottle, and, in a third, secured state, the second portion is        configured to be passed over the neck of the bottle, thereby        securing the first and second segments of the bottle in the        compacted state folded over the third segment.

According to additional features the fastening belt is affixed aroundthe bottle in a manufacturing plant or a packaging plant.

According to another embodiment there is provided a fastening belt for abottle, the bottle being a recyclable, plastic, beverage bottle, thefastening belt including: a length of flexible material affixed around acircumference of the bottle and positioned on a lower part of a body ofthe bottle.

According to still further features the length of flexible material ispositioned on a lower third of the body near a base of the bottle.

According to still further features the length of flexible material isposition immediately above the base of the bottle.

According to still further features the length of flexible material ismade of a non-elastic, plastic material.

According to still further features the length of flexible material ismade of an elastic material.

According to still further features the fastening belt has a restingstate and a holding, in the resting state, the fastening belt has adiameter approximately equal to the circumference of the bottle, and inthe holding state, the diameter increases between about 10% and 50%.

According to still further features the length of flexible material hasa width between about 2 and 6 mm.

According to still further features the fastening belt includes embossedor engraved informational material.

According to another embodiment there is provided a method of securing acompacted mass of a bottle to a neck of the bottle, including: (a)providing a fastening belt affixed around a circumference of the bottle;(b) compacting a base and a body of the bottle, to provide a compactedmass; and (c) securing an exposed section of the fastening belt aroundthe neck of the bottle, so as to hold the compacted mass to the neck ofthe bottle.

According to still further features the body is flattened and the baseis folded over the flattened body, to provide the compacted mass.

According to still further features about half of the fastening belt ispositioned in a first fold between the base and the body of the bottle.

According to still further features the exposed section of the fasteningbelt is proximal to the neck of the bottle after the base has beenfolded over the flattened body at least twice.

According to still further features the exposed section of the fasteningbelt is lifted over a finish section of the bottle in order to securethe compacted mass to the neck of the bottle.

According to another embodiment there is provided a method of securing acompacted mass of a bottle to a neck of the bottle, including:

-   -   (a) providing a fastening belt affixed around a circumference of        the bottle;    -   (b) folding a first segment of the bottle over a second segment        of the bottle, the first segment proximal a base of the bottle        and disposed below the fastening belt and the second segment        disposed above the fastening belt, such that a portion of the        fastening belt is trapped between the first segment and the        second segment;    -   (c) folding the first and second segments over a third segment        of the bottle, the third segment proximal the neck of the        bottle, such that a second portion of the fastening belt is        disposed proximal the neck of the bottle; and    -   (d) securing the second portion of the fastening belt over the        neck of the bottle, so as to hold the first and second segments        folded over the third segment.

According to further features the first segment is folded over at leastone before being folded over the second segment.

According to still further features the first and second segments arefolded over at least once before being folded over the third segment.

According to still further features the bottle comprises a first foldingindentation about the circumference of the bottle. According to stillfurther features the first indentation is located at the lower part ofthe body of the bottle. According to still further features the lengthof flexible material is positioned within the first indentation; andwherein the first segment is adapted to be folded over the secondsegment along the first indentation.

According to still further features the bottle further comprises asecond folding indentation. According to still further features thefirst and second segments are adapted to be folded over the thirdsegment along the second folding indentation.

According to another embodiment there is provided a system for foldingplastic bottles, the system including: a bottle having a first foldingline formed along a circumference of the bottle on a lower part of abody of the bottle; and a strap, the strap formed of a length offlexible material and affixed around the circumference of the bottle andpositioned within the first folding line; the bottle having a firstpartially compacted state wherein a first portion of the length offlexible material is positioned between a first segment of the bottlewhich is disposed below the strap and a second segment of the bottlewhich is disposed above the strap, wherein the first segment is foldedover the second segment along the first folding line and the firstportion is disposed in the first folding line between the first andsecond segments of the bottle, trapping the first portion between thefirst and second segments; and the bottle having a second compactedstate wherein a second portion of the length of flexible material ispositioned proximal to a neck of the bottle and adapted to be passedover the neck, wherein in the second, compacted state, the first andsecond segments are folded over a third segment of the bottle; and thebottle having a third, secured state, wherein the second portion ispassed over the neck of the bottle, thereby securing the first andsecond segments of the bottle adjacent the third segment.

According to further features the bottle further includes a secondfolding line; wherein in the second compacted state the first and secondsegments are folded over the third segment of the bottle along thesecond folding line. According to still further features the foldingline is selected from one of: an indentation, a scored line, a weakness.

According to another embodiment there is provided a method of securing acompacted mass of a bottle to a neck of the bottle, including: (a)providing the bottle with a first folding line; (b) providing afastening belt affixed around a circumference of the bottle; (c) foldinga first segment of the bottle over a second segment of the bottle alongthe first folding line, the first segment proximal a base of the bottleand disposed below the fastening belt and the second segment disposedabove the fastening belt, such that a portion of the fastening belt istrapped within the first folding line between the first segment and thesecond segment; (c) folding the first and second segments over a thirdsegment of the bottle, the third segment proximal the neck of thebottle, such that a second portion of the fastening belt is disposedproximal the neck of the bottle; and (d) securing the second portion ofthe fastening belt over the neck of the bottle, so as to hold the firstand second segments adjacent the third segment.

According to further features the bottle includes a second folding lineand wherein the first and second segments are folded over the thirdsegment of the bottle along the second folding line. According tofurther features the folding line is selected from one of: anindentation, a scored line, a weakness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1A-1D are various views of another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A-2E′ are stage-by-stage views of a method of compacting arecyclable plastic bottle using the fastening accessory of FIGS. 1A-1D;

FIG. 3A is a view of a second embodiment of the invention, whereby thebottle includes folding indentations;

FIG. 3B is a view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A including a fasteningbelt positioned within one the folding indentations;

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the embodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B in afolded and secured state.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The principles and operation of a fastening device for compacted plasticbottles intended for recycling according to the present invention may bebetter understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanyingdescription.

The purpose of the environmentally friendly invention is to allowconsumers to reduce the volume of plastic bottle waste ready forrecycling with the simple and easy to use accessory which holds acompacted bottle in the compacted state so that the bottle takes up lessspace. By reducing the volume of the empty bottles it is easier forconsumers to actively participate in environmentally-friendly recyclingof beverage bottles.

Attitudes towards environmental awareness and recycling are changing.Waste management is flourishing and a desire for preserving theenvironment is expanding. Green awareness is growing, not only on thepersonal level, but in the corporate world as well. For example, manygrocery stores encourage their customers to return empty plastic bottlesfor recycling. Customers are able to return a bottle and receive, forexample,

1 per 100 plastic bottles and/or a penny for a bottle. One can imaginethe volume of 100 non-compacted bottles in a car trunk. The immediateaccessory allows placing of about 400 compacted bottles into the samecar trunk.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. FIG. 1Aillustrates an isometric view of a fastening accessory 40 of theimmediate invention. Fastening accessory 40 is a belt that is fixedaround the body 8 of a bottle 1. FIG. 1B illustrates a single-use,plastic beverage bottle that includes the second embodiment of theimmediate invention, fixed around the body of bottle 1. This is theinitial state of the bottle with the fastening accessory. Belt 40 is alength of flexible material affixed around a circumference of the bottleand positioned at the lower part of the bottle body 8. The idealplacement of the belt 40 is around the bottom third of the bottle body8. Most preferably, the belt should be placed just above the base 7 ofthe bottle. The important factor is that when the bottle is folded up(and here, the bottle must be folded or rolled up) half of the belt iscaught inside the folds while the other half of the belt 40 is on theexposed surface of the bottle, near the neck 2 of the bottle. A moredetailed explanation can be found below.

The fastening accessory 40 is a length of preferably plastic materialthat is semi rigid or rigid and may be flexible. The band may or may notbe stretchable or elastic. If the band/belt is of an elastic material,it is preferred that the elasticity of the material be very limited,e.g., having no more than 100% expansion capacity between a restingstated and a stretched holding state, and preferably less. In theresting state, the belt has a diameter approximately equal to thecircumference of the bottle it is affixed to, and in the holding state,the diameter preferably increases only between about 10% and 50%. Anexample of a rigid, non-elastic material is a plastic cable tie. Thismaterial is flexible, even though it is not elastic. An example of asemi rigid yet elastic material is a thick rubber band, such as rubberband bracelet (e.g. promoting cancer awareness). Rubber band braceletsare known for including promotional information stamped onto or moldedinto the bracelet band. In preferred embodiments, the band has a widthof between about 2 and 6 mm which may be sufficient to emboss or imprintdirections for using the band as discussed herein. Such an advertisementwould further catch the consumer's eye and act as a reminder to recyclethe bottle (preferably using the accessory and method discussed herein)and to increase awareness for recycling in general.

FIG. 1C illustrates the bottle of FIG. 1B in a second, folded-up state.The folded mass has an exposed section 10A and a hidden section 10B.Half of belt 40 is visible above the exposed part of the compacted mass10 while the other half of the belt is hidden, as it is folded insidethe hidden section 10B of the compacted mass 10. It is noted that belt40 is in close proximity to neck 2 of the bottle. It is further notedthat the belt is on the same side of the neck as the compacted mass.

FIG. 1D shows compacted bottle of FIG. 1C, but now in a third statewhereby the belt 40 has been moved to the far side of the bottle, and isobscured by neck 2. Belt 40, while being taut, has enough play and/orflexibility that the exposed half of the belt 40 can be lifted(relatively easily) over the neck 2 and finish 3 portions of bottle 1,in order to secure or clench the compacted mass 10 to the neck portion2.

FIGS. 2A to 2D depict a stage-by-stage method of compacting a recyclableplastic bottle using the fastening accessory of the depicted embodiment.FIG. 2A illustrates the first stage of the process, which is to providea fastening belt 40 on the body 8 of the bottle 1 affixed around acircumference of the bottle. The preferred placement of the belt hasbeen discussed above, in reference to FIG. 1B. In order to start theprocess of compacting the bottle, it is useful to lay the bottle down tolie horizontally, as depicted in the Figure, on a surface.

FIG. 2B depicts the second step of the method, in which the body of thebottle has been compacted. The body of the bottle can be rolled-up inany manner. One preferred method involves flattening the body of thebottle and folding the base over the flattened body. To accomplish this,for example, the user places the bottle horizontally, with the basenearest the user and the top of the bottle furthest from the user.Between two and four fingers of one or both hands are placed on thelower portion of the bottle body 8, with the thumbs resting on thebottom of the base 7 (i.e. between the base and the user). Two to fourfingers (of one or both hands) are used to flatten the body of thebottle and the thumbs are then employed to fold the base over theflattened body, in the direction away from the user, folding the masstowards the top/neck 9 of the bottle.

FIG. 2B shows the compacted mass 10 of the bottle after being ‘foldedup’ using the method described above, or any other method. It isimportant to point out that the hidden half of the belt 40, referred toas hidden belt portion 40B, is ‘trapped’ or caught in one of the foldsof the bottle. Preferably, the hidden belt portion 40B of the belt istrapped in the first fold of the bottle, i.e. between the bottle base 7and the lower portion of the body 8. For the sake of clarity, anouter-facing surface 10A of the compacted mass 10, is defined as beingthe surface which is roughly parallel to the slightly flattened shoulderand neck portions which abut the folded up portion of the bottle (seeouter-surface 10A of FIG. 1C). The hidden surfaces of the bottle in thefolded-up section of the bottle are labeled with reference 10B.

In FIG. 2C, about half of belt 40 is visible, and referred to as avisible or exposed belt portion 40A. The other approximately half ofbelt 40 is hidden (depicted by a broken line) and referred to as hiddenbelt portion 40B. In the Figure, the visible belt portion 40A is inclose proximity to neck 2 and finish 3 of the bottle 1. In one preferredembodiment, the exposed section 40A of the fastening belt is proximal toa first side of the neck of the bottle after the base has been foldedover the flattened body at least twice. A broken line arrow depicts theapproximate direction in which the visible belt portion 40A must bemoved in order to couple the compacted mass 10 to the neck of thebottle.

The final step of the method is depicted in FIG. 2D. FIG. 2D depicts theresultant state of the fastening accessory after looping the visiblebelt portion 40A over the bottle opening (neck and finish portions),while the hidden belt 40B (shown in dash lines) is caught in the foldsof the compacted mass 10. A portion of the visible belt portion 40A isobscured by the neck of the bottle, and therefore depicted with a dashedline. The exposed/visible belt portion now rests (tightly) against thefar side of the neck of the bottle.

FIG. 2E is similar to FIG. 2D, but providing a perspective view. FIG.2E′ depicts the same view as FIG. 2E, but with the three segmentsindicated with different filler patterns. Fastening belt 40 is depictedin FIGS. 2E and 2E′ securing bottle 1 in the folded state. Fasteningbelt 40 includes a length of flexible material affixed around acircumference of the bottle and positioned on a lower part of a body ofthe bottle.

A first portion 40B of the length of flexible material is adapted, in afirst partially compacted state (shown in FIG. 2B), to be positionedbetween a first segment 20A (see FIG. 2E′ and 7 of FIG. 2A) of thebottle which is disposed below the belt and a second segment 20B of thebottle which is disposed above the belt, whereby the first segment 20Ais folded over the second segment 20B and the first portion 40B isdisposed in a crease 22 (see FIG. 2E′) of a fold between the first andsecond segments 20A, 20B of the bottle, effectively trapping the firstportion 40B of the belt.

A second portion 40A of belt is adapted, in a second, compacted state(see FIG. 2C), to be positioned proximal a neck of the bottle. In thesecond, compacted state, the first and second segments 20A, 20B arefolded over a third segment 20C of the bottle. The second portion of thebelt 40A is adapted to be passed over the neck of the bottle.

In a third, secured state (see FIGS. 2D, 2E and 2E′), the second portionof the belt 40A is already passed over the neck of the bottle, therebysecuring the first and second segments 20A, 20B of the bottle heldadjacent to the third segment 20C.

The fastening accessory 40 may be affixed to the bottle 1 during themanufacturing process of the bottle or at the packaging plant (after thebottle has been sealed with the closure/cap) or post-manufacture, e.g.by the wholesaler/retailer or post-purchase by the buyer. Accordingly,the fastening accessory may be purchased when already affixed to thebottle or separately for home use. If bought separately, the buyer mayattach the accessory before the beverage is opened or once the bottle isempty. The accessory may be comprised of a similar material to therecyclable bottle or a different material. The accessory may havedifferent dimensions than those specifically mentions or depicted in theFigures.

A second embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3Aillustrates a bottle 301 including at least one folding line 322. Whilethe bottle 301 is depicted including two folding lines it is made clearthat the scope of the invention includes a bottle with only one foldingline. Preferably the single line is located on the bottom third of thebody of the bottle.

In one configuration, the folding line 322 is a recessed channel orindentation created during the manufacturing process. In alternativeconfigurations, folding line 322 is a scoring or weakening along acircumferential plane of the bottle. The purpose and function of theindentation is to provide an area of the bottle which is generallysusceptible to bending and folding (preferably more susceptible than therest of bottle) so as to allow a lower portion 307 (the term “portion”is used interchangeably herein with the terms “section”, “segment”,“part” and the like) of the bottle 301 to be easily folded over a middleportion 308 of the bottle. The indentation further or alternativelyfunctions as a folding guide, which indicates to the user how and whereto fold the bottle.

In additional embodiments, bottle 301 includes a second folding line324. In preferred embodiments, the folding line is located in the upperthird of the bottle, as depicted in FIG. 3A. The second folding line isadapted to facilitate folding of the first and second portions 307, 308of the bottle over the third portion 309 of the bottle. The folded stateis depicted in FIG. 3C (the figure also illustrates the fastening beltsecuring the bottle in the folded state).

FIG. 3B illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 3A further including afastening belt 340 positioned within the lower folding indentation.Exemplarily, the fastening belt is a strap or band of flexible material.In preferred embodiments, the fastening belt or strap 340 has the sameor similar properties to fastening belt 40 discussed above.

In other embodiments, fastening belt 340 is positioned within the upperfolding indentation, (second folding line 324). In this position, oncefolded as depicted in FIG. 3C, the external section of the fasteningbelt 340 is cinched around the neck 302 of the bottle. The belt isextended around [folded] segment 308 and secured to the side of the neckthat is opposite the side of the folded segments (similar to thedepiction of FIG. 3C where the folded segments are on the left-hand sideand the band is secured to the right-hand side of the neck of thebottle).

FIG. 3C illustrates bottle 301 in a folded and secured state. Bottle 301is depicted where lower segment 307 is folded against middle segment 308at the first folding line 322, and the segments 307, 308 are foldedagainst the upper segment 309 at the second folding line/indentation324. The band 340 is then looped over the bottle neck 302 so that theband holds the folded segments together in the folded state by thetension exerted by the band 340 on both the facing side of the bottleneck and the crease/fold/indentation between the folded lower and middlesegments 307, 308.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations,modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. It isalso made clear that the depicted and described embodiments are merelyexemplary and the invention can be applied to recyclable bottles of allsizes and shapes, where the accessories and methods described above areapplicable. It is understood that the given dimensions relate to 1.5liter bottles, and as such, the given dimensions must be adjustedaccordingly, relative to the bottles or containers that the invention isapplied to. As such, the claimed invention as recited in the claims thatfollow is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fastening belt for a recyclable, plastic,beverage bottle wherein in an uncompressed state, the bottle has a bodyand a neck disposed on an upper end of the body of the bottle, thefastening belt comprising: a banded length of flexible material affixedaround a circumference of the bottle configured with a width of between2 mm and 6 mm and having an inside surface facing the bottle and anoutside surface facing away from the bottle.
 2. The fastening belt ofclaim 1, wherein said length of flexible material, in a flexed state, isequal to said circumference of the bottle.
 3. The fastening belt ofclaim 1, wherein said length of flexible material is positioned on alower third of said body near a base of the bottle.
 4. The fasteningbelt of claim 3, wherein said length of flexible material is positionimmediately above said base of the bottle.
 5. The fastening belt ofclaim 1, wherein said length of flexible material is made of anon-elastic, plastic material.
 6. The fastening belt of claim 5, whereinthe belt is a plastic cable tie.
 7. The fastening belt of claim 1,wherein said length of flexible material is made of an elastic material.8. The fastening belt of claim 7, wherein the fastening belt is a rubberband or rubber bracelet.
 9. The fastening belt of claim 7, wherein thefastening belt has a resting state and a holding state, in said restingstate, the fastening belt has a diameter approximately equal to saidcircumference of the bottle.
 10. The fastening belt of claim 9, whereinin said holding state, said diameter increases between about 10% and50%.
 11. The fastening belt of claim 1, wherein the bottle comprises afirst indentation about said circumference of the bottle, defining afirst segment and a second segment of the bottle.
 12. The fastening beltof claim 11, wherein said first indentation is located at said lowerpart of said body of the bottle.
 13. The fastening belt of claim 12,wherein said length of flexible material is positioned at leastpartially within said first indentation; and wherein said first segmentis adapted to be folded over said second segment along said firstindentation.
 14. The fastening belt of claim 11, wherein the bottlefurther comprises a second folding indentation defining a third segmentof the bottle and separating the third segment from the second segment.15. The fastening belt of claim 14, wherein said first and secondsegments are adapted to be folded over said third segment along saidsecond folding indentation.
 16. The fastening belt of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one of engraving, embossing and print on the outsidesurface.
 17. The fastening belt of claim 16, wherein the at least one ofengraving, embossing and print on the outside surface comprises at leastone of advertising, instructions for use and a reminder to recycle thebottle.
 18. The fastening belt of claim 1, wherein said fastening beltis constructed of the same recyclable material or materials as thebottle.
 19. A method of making a fastening belt for a recyclable bottlewherein in an uncompressed state, the bottle has a body and a neckdisposed on an upper end of the body of the bottle, comprising: affixinga banded length of flexible material, configured with a width of between2 mm and at least 6 mm and having an inside surface facing the bottleand an outside surface facing away from the bottle, around acircumference of the bottle; and, performing at least one of engraving,embossing and printing on the outside surface.
 20. The method of claim19, wherein affixing the fastening belt around the bottle is performedin a manufacturing plant or a packaging plant.
 21. The method accordingto claim 19, wherein the affixing the fastening belt occurs in anindentation located around a lower part of the bottle.